Its a classic success story. The son of an Iowa farmer, Norb Harrington got his start in banking as a part-time teller three decades ago. Back then he was an undergrad at MSU, where he earned a business degree and gained practical knowledge about his industry. Several promotions later he returned for an MBA, which fueled his continued rise. Today, hes regional president for a banking giant, and he credits much of his success to his education at MSU where his daughter plans to be among the first group of students entering a renewed, revitalized MBA program.
If you stopped at a branch bank in Mankato 30 years ago, there’s a chance Norb Harrington was your teller. Visit any Wells Fargo location in Greater Minnesota today, and you just might find Harrington there to help you again. But don’t think his professional life never took off.
Harrington’s career became a classic success story. He climbed from the first rung on the ladder-a part-time teller job-to the upper echelon of banking. Now a regional president for Wells Fargo Greater Minnesota, he oversees 59 banks and 1,100 employees.
The story began at MSU. In the College of Business, he found people who were generous with time and support. He says, "They made me feel that if I worked hard, there wasn’t anything I couldn’t accomplish."
His approach to education matched his career strategy. When warned about tough instructors, he sought them out. He took on challenges and excelled in each pursuit. He cultivated close relationships with his professors and concentrated on understanding the day-to-day realities of banking and business.
When he took that first teller job, Harrington was still an MSU undergrad. By the time he completed his MBA, his climb was well under way. His first promotion was to full-time teller, next to credit manager, and upward to real estate officer, loan officer, assistant branch vice president, senior vice president, and president.
Harrington believes in MSU’s renewed MBA program, and his perspective is anything but detached. His daughter plans to be among the first group of students to study in the second incarnation of the MBA program. Harrington believes her education will retain the strengths he valued years ago while evolving to meet the needs of today’s students.
He hasn’t forgotten the lessons of his college days and his first banking job. In fact, he often steps into the role of teller when visiting branches he oversees. He does it to keep in touch with his customers and employees. He knows they are his business.
